The summer internship rollout
Every September, the news starts spreading. The internship lists are up and companies have started interviews. However, playing the internship game is like Telephone. By the time the news comes around to you, it has either been lost in translation or, in this case, a finance internship. Thus, the intense and at times fruitless search begins. Between the countless hours spent refreshing a museum’s website every month, hoping for an internship opening, and cold emailing professionals in the field, I wonder why careers in GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums) are often left unstructured and a shot in the dark.Â
Entering the world of employment in the big 2026, when every other news channel reports on the decline of the job market, is not ideal. On top of that, the lack of visible GLAM internship opportunities worsens the plight of students, especially those pursuing humanities degrees and hoping to enter these fields. This gives rise to the experience paradox, a job requires experience, but where should a college student turn to gain such experience? Is it perhaps through the university careers centre? Or internal contacts and networking? Or maybe just hope?
The glam framework
The GLAM industry is responsible for curating national museums, conserving ancient manuscripts, digitizing collections, or, if youâre in St Andrews, preserving your local castle. Itâs boots on the ground practical and theoretical work that helps present communities interpret the past and conserve information for the future. The GLAM sector holds together so much of society, more than people give it credit for, yet you probably wonât find them at your university career fair. But why is that? Unfortunately, thatâs a question I am yet to find an answer to.
It is therefore no surprise that most articles refer to individuals working within the GLAM sector as âAcademia’s Unsung Heroesâ. Unsung, because thereâs someone working behind the scenes, curating your favourite museum exhibition or archiving the manuscript you might require for your degree. As a result, since so much of their work occurs away from the spotlight, it is easy to overlook or underestimate their importance. It is crucial to acknowledge their position in shaping society and, as a result, important to pave and illuminate the way for future GLAM students and professionals.
the importance of glam
Society is run by its culture, its heritage and its history. Every community has a story to tell, and events that have led them to the present. But how do we know this? Who has preserved such history?Â
Individuals in the GLAM fields, of course. Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums have been perceived as treasure troves of knowledge and sway since time immemorial. We have come to witness how monuments and artefacts have transformed from mere material objects to national identities. Therefore, they hold the power to shape and change narratives over time and give individuals an opportunity to personally relate to the past.
They provide a look into the past, making culture and history accessible to the general public while simultaneously encouraging heritage education amongst all age groups. As technologies begin to further develop and amidst increasing reliance on AI, I believe the GLAM Industry is now more important than ever. The very concept of generative AI programming your internal dialogues in relation to heritage, erasing your subjective perspective, scares me. GLAM is built on preserving human culture and opinions for future generations; hence, the profession is undermined if you remove the people who make GLAM human.
the struggle for a glam internship
As a student keen to break into the GLAM job market, one of the biggest challenges I have faced is the lack of structured and visible internship opportunities across organisations. I constantly find myself refreshing the career centres’ websites, hoping for there to be an opening, but alas.Â
There is also the issue of GLAM organisations only accepting Masterâs or PhD level scholars, limiting access to the internship pool as an undergraduate student. Unfortunately, itâs the irony that gets me because when applying for an internship, they want you to pinpoint your future endeavours, but how am I to do so when there isnât a simple work experience opening up for grabs? How am I to know what I want to specialise in if I donât get to start somewhere?Â
Yes, the GLAM industry is competitive, no doubt, but it all depends on the accessibility of that âApplyâ link. Many of the GLAM opportunities are concentrated in major cities and, not to mention, they start off as volunteer positions. However, it is important to mention that it might not be financially sound for you to pack up and leave for a different city for a role that disregards the financial aspect of life. Not only does this make opportunities less appealing, it forces you to make a decision between experience and financial soundness.
glam societies at the university of st andrews
While the job market seems to be raising questions, student run societies at the University of St Andrews aim to make the GLAM sector more approachable. These societies range from the Art History Society to the Art Business Society and the newly formed Museology Society. Each one draws from the GLAM industry and disseminates this information to the rest of the student body. By bringing together speakers, creating an alumni network and hosting events specific to their specialisation, the future generation is acknowledging the importance of GLAM.Â
As a space to find like-minded individuals looking to pursue a career in GLAM, university societies allow for exposure to relevant experiences and engaging with audiences through events. Each society offers an alternative route into the GLAM sector, from commercial realities to curatorship. These initiatives open potential doors to a wider conversation about pursuing a career in conservation, preservation and museology, and challenge the traditional career norms of a humanities student.
breaking into glam
The GLAM industry is built on people and the culture that has shaped our society today, yet it is constantly overlooked and the students intent on entering the field struggle to gain relevant experience. There are multiple opportunities present within the sector, so why is it that when I reach the drop-box question on every career page asking me to choose my top three careers, the options are still law, media and teaching roles? Whatever happened to curator, archivist, or heritage manager?Â
If these careers are essential to the functioning of our society then making them visible for students, the future generation, is fundamental to the continuation of our society. Perhaps the first step should be acknowledging that these pathways exist and then…giving me an internship, please.Â